The Church is always by the suffering people

By Habtamu Abrdew Beture

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia July 06,2024:

His Grace Cardinal Berhanyesus, Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia, stated that the Ethiopian Catholic Church always stands by the people suffering due to war, hunger and any other natural and human made tragedies in the country. The Cardinal stated that on an interview held with the Vatican Radio on July 03, 2024. In Italian language in Rome.

His Grace Cardinal Birhanyesus, who led the apostolic visit of the Catholic Bishops (Ad Limina Apostolorum) to the Holy See said that the Church is called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth even though we are the minority in the nation.

As the Cardinal explained about the current situation in Ethiopia, the hostility in Tigray region northern part of the country, caused death for many people and left others in suffering. The Catholic Church is pleased for the situation is currently ceased because of the peace agreement in Johannesburg, but still there are ongoing unrests and war especially in the Oromia and Amhara Regions. The Church is looking forward to seeing the peace negotiations that have begun between the fighting parties in Zanzibar, Tanzania be continued. His Grace also expressed his great hope that the ongoing conflict in the Amhara region will as well be resolved through peace negotiations.The young generation, consisting of the 70% of the total population, are facing unemployment and poverty. As a result of that, they become victims of human trafficking and face severe complications in their attempts to reach Europe. The Ethiopian Catholic Church is by the children, the young, the mothers and elders who are suffering from the lack of stability in life, education and health treatments due to the destruction of the respective facilities during the war. The Catholic Church will continue providing the education, health care and humanitarian aid through her various socio-pastoral institutions. The Church also is working hard in peace building, reconciliation and post conflict restorations of relations. Our Lord Jesus Christ told us that we are called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.”